Grade Wrap-ups

Coming to a new school can be scary, but for the 3rd Form our initial fear was eased by knowing we were not alone. Everyone in this class is new and has their own expectations of what Woodberry would be like and how it will impact them. Fellow 3rd Former Chris Fuscus says, “Woodberry has taught me how to work and be more independent.” When I asked him about his expectations coming into the year and how close they were to what happened when he arrived, he said that they were the exact same. He came to Woodberry expecting a new and friendly environment. He was able to work harder and learn better in that same environment.

During this first year we were shown the Woodberry brotherhood. Many started the year worried about fitting in or making friends, but it turned out not to be a problem. The students here are kind and great people. During the year we were brought into many traditions new to us. They range from the tie cutting to The Bonfire. These traditions fuel the brotherhood here and made the 3rd Formers feel more welcomed.

Now with the school year coming to a close we are anticipating summer and the new privileges of next year. Many hope for more free time, others get excited about finally being able to participate in the pep rallies. Regardless, the 3rd Form class is excited for the coming years of Woodberry.

Sam Hull ’18 (fourth form)

Sam Hull ’18 studiously reading in the library

Sophomore year at Woodberry Forest is without a doubt a special one. For one school year, we own the Walker Building, spending day and night surrounded by our closest counterparts. Despite the inevitable petty fights and bickering that results from being with the same group of people in the classroom and on dorm, this experience has allowed our class to bond and come closer together.

Starting with the expedition, the amount of time spent together has helped old relationships grow, new ones form, and it also helped integrate new boys, like myself, into the community. Although parts of living on Walker, such as the pungents smells, lack of AC, and sporadic fire alarms, have tested our nerves, being together as a complete grade will be missed next school year. Even with the residential separation of our class coming next year, we will continue to grow as a group and as individuals during the essential 5th form year.

As intimidating as junior year is made out to be, our class will be ready to tackle the challenges that come our way. It won’t be easy, it won’t always be fun, and we won’t have as much time to mess around in the commons rooms or eat Fir Tree, but we are ready to advance our Woodberry experience and have a successful junior year.

My 5th Form year was everything I expected. The classes were hard and the workload was unbearable. In the end, I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world, except maybe a million dollars. I have learned that everything in your junior year is a lot harder and everything that you have is so time consuming. In the end, I learned that if I can survive this school year, then I can survive college. I am not sure what to expect next year, but I figure it is mostly the same from this year. I think that the fall will be as hard, but the winter and spring will get easier as we grow closer to graduation. I and the rest of the 5th Form class are looking forward to what our senior year brings.

John Pittman ’16 (sixth form)

Seniors enjoying their final ‘Game’ as students.

Weathered, relieved, and with smiles on their faces, the class of 2016 entered the month of May. Indeed, the culmination of a Woodberry career with graduation is one of the most satisfying events any of us have experienced to date. Though the road has winded, and our hearts have grown weary, we, who will stride across that brick runway to receive our diplomas, are worthy of praise and celebration. Each, with our own story, ambitions, and personality, shares now in a brotherhood, earned through mental perseverance and continued moral integrity.

The funny thing about graduation is that one hears about it from the time he arrives, and even sits through other commencement exercises, but by the time his own graduation rolls around, and the time for him to leave is nigh, he doesn’t know how to take it. Should he be happy to depart from the community where he is known, loved, and cared for? Or rather, should he wish to stay forever, and never step out into the real world to be tested? I’m sure it is instinct that drives us away from the places where we were raised, but it is human sentiment and compassion that has us keep those places near and dear in our hearts. I hope I speak for my classmates when I say that our time in orange and black is and will be seen in such pleasant light, and that perhaps one day it will be pleasing to remember even these things.